Reply to Should you really avoid an activity as a main essay topic?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I have been following Application Nation and the leader of it is pretty militant that kids should not write about an activity for the main essay. My DC has a very time-intensive activity that is really their passion (100s of hours a year).[b] DC wants to use what appeals to them about that activity to explain their overall approach to life and what drives them. Is this really a no-no?[/b][/quote]

Not only is it not a "no-no," it's a good approach to the essay. [/quote]

Have to disagree. Sounds generic and will be rehashed in the supplementals.  [/quote]

The essay OP suggests is about their DC's "overall approach to life and what drives them." That isn't generic -- that is exactly the kind of thing that works well. The activity in question there is simply the means to the end.

-- a writer[/quote]

Exactly what every other kid will write because it involves zero creativity -- generic and boring.  It's passable but won't move the needle either way.

Much better to write something that wouldn't otherwise be known about the kid or demonstrates personality.  [/quote]
I
You are so wrong. But you say it with authority, lol. [/quote]

My kid is going to one of H/Y/P and his high school counselor said his was one of the best essays she’s seen, but sure, anonymous stranger, I’m sure the AO would rather hear about the kid’s main extracurricular for the fifth time.[/quote]

I'm an essayist with an MFA in writing who has coached many students on their application essays (as well as a "random stranger"). But sure, mommy, the fact that your kid is "going to one of H/Y/P and his high school counselor said his was one of the best essays she's seen" means you know what every kid should and shouldn't write about. Sure it does.

Y'all are hilarious.

Caveat emptor, folks. The information you find on the internet is generally worth what you are paying for it. [/quote]

Well, they say those that can’t do, teach.  Sad the anyone is paying for your bad advice.  Nothing “random” about my advice any decent college counselor, including AN, says the same.[/quote]
NP. Your disdain for the entire profession of teaching makes you kind of  a crappy human. [/quote]

+100[/quote]

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